We need to talk about organ donation

The story of organ donor Jemima Layzell this week is of course both very sad and also very positive and inspiring.

It must take an unimaginable about of courage and kindness for the family of this teenager to do something so generous whilst grieving for her.

Jemima, 13, died of a brain aneurysm. Her family decided to allow her organs to be donated and a record eight people, including five children, have been helped by their kindness.

The family said Jemima had spoken about her willingness to be a donor just weeks before, after the death of someone they knew.

Her mum Sophy told the BBC: “Everyone wants their child to be special and unique and this among other things makes us very proud.

“Jemima was lovely – clever, funny, compassionate and creative – and we feel sure she would be very proud of her legacy.”

It shows the importance of talking to family and friends about organ donation. It is of course an uncomfortable subject but a conversation could literally end up saving lives.

The NHS reports that hundreds of people are dying unnecessarily while waiting for a transplant because too many families still say no to organ donation. Last year, 457 people died waiting for a transplant and there are currently 6,414 people on the transplant waiting list.

This story should at least give us the courage to have the conversation with our loved ones, just to find out if organ donation is something they would want to do.